New 'trick' in cigarette names

An anti-smoking campaigner has accused tobacco companies of "sexing up" their brand names to make them more appealing in the wake of plain packaging laws.

Australian Council on Smoking and Health president Mike Daube said manufacturers were introducing dozens of extended brand "descriptors" to meet the December 1 deadline for all products to be sold in plain olive green packets with all brand names in the same font and size.

Manufacturers claim the new branding will help retailers find the right product faster for their customers.

Professor Daube said there also seemed to be a move to menthol branding on products, which he believed was because menthol made the taste of cigarettes smoother and more palatable, particularly to younger smokers.

"This is more attractive to a variety of markets, particularly children, because they start with the smoother product, get hooked, then stay with it or move on to other brands," Professor Daube said.

He also raised concerns about the placing of prime brand names on retail price boards, which allowed them greater promotion.